Meta Platforms is rolling out standardized, enhanced safety features for its teenage users across Facebook and Messenger globally, building on existing Instagram protections and set to arrive in Thailand by 2026.
These “Teen Accounts” automatically apply default safety settings for users aged 13-17. The system differentiates between early teens (13-15) and late teens (16-17), acknowledging their varying developmental needs and desire for independence.
Malena Enlund, Meta’s Head of Safety Policy, emphasized a holistic approach to youth protection. She stated the company addresses primary parental concerns around content, online time, and contact.
The system also limits who can contact teenagers and controls the content, including advertisements, they see. Users under the age of 16 require parental permission to relax these stricter settings.
Instagram, where these features were first introduced globally, is now adopting a PG-13 movie rating standard for content visibility. This standard will initially apply in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia, with broader expansion planned.
The PG-13 rating will limit exposure to violent content, distressing news, inappropriate advertising, profanity, and risky stunts for users under 18. Users in this age group will automatically be placed under updated 13+ settings and cannot opt out without parental consent.
Meta employs artificial intelligence (AI) to proactively remove inappropriate content. The company reports that 98.6% of these removals occur before users report the issues.
Data shows that over 97% of 13-15 year-olds on Instagram have maintained the default settings, and most parents find these measures beneficial. New, more restrictive parental control options are also being introduced for parents desiring further limitations.
Meta’s system is designed to prevent teens from circumventing these restrictions by creating new accounts, linking them back to maintain consistent safety settings. These measures aim to increase confidence for both parents and young users on the company’s platforms.
The company views these enhancements as a significant step in its responsible management of online spaces for young users. How these measures will be applied in Thailand, balancing safety, privacy, and a positive digital experience, remains a key area of focus for Meta.